Med-Care to look at former SAD 43 central office building

MEXICO — Med-Care Director Dean Milligan wants to possibly use the former SAD 43 central office building to house the ambulance service.

Selectmen on Wednesday night approved a walk-through for Nov. 20 by the Med-Care board and its architect. And because Med-Care is considering the two-story, c. 1960 building among its possibilities, selectmen delayed putting the building on the real estate market until next month.

Voters on Tuesday passed two local referendum questions, one of which was to place the former central office on the market.

Milligan said the Med-Care board is looking at other buildings, as well. He said if the former central office is used, a structure would have to be built to house the vehicles. He said previous plans to build a facility have been put on hold due to the poor economy.

Selectmen also took some first steps in response to the second approved referendum question: To borrow up to $2.9 million to improve about a dozen town-maintained roads. The board voted to send out requests for proposals for engineering work for most of the 12 roads that are the top priorities.

Town Manager John Madigan said the requests will include hourly rates, starting dates and a multitude of other items. Plans are to begin at least one of the projects during the 2010 construction season.

The funds will be borrowed at a low rate of interest as needed, rather than all at once.

In other matters Wednesday, the board:

• Agreed to sponsor two wreaths for the local Civilian Air Patrol Sundown Squadron that will become part of the Wreaths Across America project. That entails thousands of wreaths being trucked to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia for veterans' graves. They also approved a $100 donation for the group. Additional forms to sponsor wreaths for the project, at $15 each, are available at the town office.

• Approved going after Federal Emergency Management Agency money to reconstruct a 1,500-foot portion of Backkingdom Road between Welch and Drinkuth roads. That section has been repeatedly damaged by heavy rainstorms. The motion also guaranteed using town funds as a 25 percent match for the project that could cost as much as $175,000. The work that must be done includes removal of ledge, excavation of ditches, installation of four culverts and some riprap.

eadams@sunjournal.com